Foldable compartmentalized clipboard

Abstract

A longitudinally foldable compartmentalized clipboard with a passageway for storing papers without creasing; The clipboard has a front side for writing with at least two frame members that are joined by a living hinge, and a releasable locking means including mating shapes formed into the frame members that couple with a friction fit when the case is opened in a writing position.

1. A longitudinally folding compartmentalized clipboard:
 1) at least two frame members connected one to the other by at least one living hinge, with at least one writing surface on each frame member and at least one rear surface on each frame member, and, at least one compartment within each frame member between the at least one writing surface and the at least one rear surface, and, at least one of the frame members having an opening for the insertion of paper and other articles; and, 
 2) a writing position in which the frame members are substantially inline relative to each other producing a planar surface for writing; and, 
 3) a passageway created by the writing position into which papers may be inserted, via the opening, and retained in the at least one compartment in each frame member; and, 
 4) a releasable friction fit locking mechanism formed in the frame members to secure the sections in the writing position. 
 
     
     
       2. The compartmentalized clipboard according to  claim 1  in which the at least one compartment forms a portion of an uninterrupted passage for the insertion of papers when the frame members are aligned to form the writing position. 
     
     
       3. The compartmentalized clipboard according to  claim 1 . in which the friction fit locking mechanism further comprises at least one pair of mate-able male and female shapes molded into the frame members for the friction fit locking of the frame members when aligned to form the writing position. 
     
     
       4. The compartmentalized clipboard according to  claim 1  in which a center frame member is positioned between, and hingeably joined to two adjacent frame members. 
     
     
       5. The compartmentalized clipboard according to  claim 1  in which a deformable cover is connected to and spans a gap between the at least one rear surface on each frame member. 
     
     
       6. The compartmentalized clipboard according to  claim 1  having at least one clear plastic cover over the at least one writing surface of the clipboard, the underside of the clear plastic cover being accessible in order to slide materials between the plastic cover and the front side of the clipboard. 
     
     
       7. The compartmentalized clipboard according to  claim 1  having a plurality of compartments within for the retention of small articles such as papers, pens and paperclips. 
     
     
       8. The compartmentalized clipboard according to  claim 1  having a closure to retain the compartmentalized clipboard in a closed position.